Tuesday, February 07, 2012, Rabi-ul-Awal 14, 1433
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Sports
Pakistan's Historic VictoryDubai—Pakistan duly completed their first clean sweep against England in a Test series, an extraordinary achievement for a side with no home to call its own, a side that lives out of a suitcase and does it rather well. Along with the socks and the toothpaste they certainly unpacked quite a shock for the No. 1 ranked side.Twice in a few months, the leading Test side in the world has been found wanting. India were whitewashed in England last summer and now England have suffered a similar humiliation. Test cricket in Asia, described by England’s captain, Andrew Strauss, as “the final frontier,” has proved as unconquerable as ever. The sunny disposition of Saeed Ajmal, the Man of the Series, and the stiff-limbed tenacity of Abdur Rehman tormented England to the end. They shared 43 wickets between them in a three-Test series and England barely played a shot in anger. Even after dismissing Pakistan for 99 in their first innings, they could not summon either the method or confidence to prevail. Only when the game was as good as lost did Matt Prior, who has looked likelier than most throughout the series, play with gusto in making an unbeaten 49. There was plentiful spin for Pakistan’s spinners, not quick turn but leaping turn at times when the ball struck the rough. Fittingly, the match finished on an lbw referral as Monty Panesar swept at Rehman, only to find that his retro scoop bat had no magical qualities. DRS upheld the umpire’s decision and the all-time record of 43 lbw decisions in a series was equalled. Pakistan cricket genuinely on topCommentsSalahuddin Haider WHETHER it was historic, fairy-tale or stunning, these would just be phraseologies. Statisticians might still rank England as number one, but let it be said in all fairness and honesty here that Monday’s 3-0 whitewash in Dubai sent Pakistan rocketing to the top. Above all it not only served a shut up call to those keen to malign Pakistan cricket, but witnessed the revival of the glory that since long had deserted us.
For a team, treated pariah, with no home of its own, and virtually living out of a suitcase, the clean sweep, brought about by the convincing win in the Third Test, with half an hour and a day to spare was important in more than one way. It saw records tumble, and heroes emerge to challenge even the powerful in the game.
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